Bagpipes, Corvettes, a barbeque, raffles and plenty of coffee marked the opening of the Veterans Transition Center at Suri Ridge Coffeehouse in the Falcon Safeway shopping center May 17. The center will provide financial advice, career transition services and disability advice.Tami Donaldson opened Suri Ridge Coffeehouse in February, with the goal of providing a combined community coffeehouse and veterans’ support center. Donaldson was a human resources and logistics operations director for the U.S. Army before retiring. She is now focused on helping her fellow veterans through the VTC and The Retired Enlisted Association.Her own transition to civilian small business owner has been challenging. The coffeehouse opened after about seven months of contractor and inspection delays. After the new business flurry of traffic slowed, a decline in business has led to moving from a paid staff of eight baristas to a few volunteers; who serve customers for tips to keep the business open for the veteransí services. Donaldson said she has used social media and conversations with guests to learn what customers want. She has changed coffee bean providers, bakeries and even whipped cream recipes to make sure her guests are happy, she said.The VTC grand opening celebration was an opportunity to reintroduce the community to the coffeehouse and the veteransí services she is passionate about. Neil Gillette, John Bourne and Jim Campbell of the 79th Highlanders Living History Association provided bagpipe music during the car show, hosted by Colorado Corvettes and Classic Cars, and they played Amazing Grace for the POW / MIA memorial service held inside the coffeehouse.Tony Rawe, chaplain for the Calhan Veterans for Foreign Wars Post 5221, led a prayer and memorial service over an honor display Donaldson installed to remember prisoners of war and missing-in-action service people. About 40 people attended the ceremony inside the shop, with more visiting the car show and the VFW BBQ throughout the day.The VTC is seeking donations to help fund its services for veterans at http://gofundme.com/veteranscenter. For more information about signing up for services at the Suri Ridge center, visit http://milehighops.com.
